Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stallion'

English Word: stallion

Key Russian Translations:

• жеребец [ʐɨˈrʲe.bʲɪts] - [Formal, Used in contexts related to animal husbandry or equestrian activities]

Frequency: Medium (Common in specialized contexts like farming, veterinary, or literature, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic vocabulary related to animals; learners at this level can grasp it with some exposure to thematic topics)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жеребец: [ʐɨˈrʲe.bʲɪts]

Note on жеребец: The initial 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; it sounds similar to the 's' in 'measure'. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations in regional accents might soften the 'ц' to a 'ts' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A male horse, typically uncastrated and used for breeding.

Translation(s) & Context:

• жеребец - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing livestock or in equestrian sports; common in written Russian or professional discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В конюшне содержится сильный жеребец, который выиграл несколько соревнований.

  In the stable, there is a strong stallion that has won several competitions.

• Фермер купил молодого жеребца для разведения чистокровных лошадей.

  The farmer bought a young stallion for breeding thoroughbred horses.

• Жеребец в дикой природе часто возглавляет стадо кобыл.

  A stallion in the wild often leads a herd of mares.

• Во время скачек жеребец показал исключительную скорость и выносливость.

  During the races, the stallion demonstrated exceptional speed and endurance.

• Ветеринар осмотрел жеребца перед тем, как его использовать в племенном деле.

  The veterinarian examined the stallion before using him in breeding programs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Жеребец" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. As a common noun, it changes based on grammatical case but remains singular in most contexts unless specifying multiple animals.

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple stallions, but in English, "stallion" is typically singular, so learners should pay attention to context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Взрослый жеребец (vzroslyy zherebets) - Emphasizes maturity; used in more descriptive contexts.
  • Племенной жеребец (plemennoy zherebets) - Specifically for breeding purposes, with a nuance of pedigree.
• Antonyms:
  • Кобыла (kobyla) - Mare, the female counterpart.
  • Лошадь (loshad') - General term for horse, but not specifically male or female.

Related Phrases:

• Чистокровный жеребец - A thoroughbred stallion; used in racing or breeding contexts to denote high-quality lineage.
• Дикий жеребец - A wild stallion; often appears in literature or discussions about untamed animals.
• Породистый жеребец - A pedigreed stallion; implies selective breeding for specific traits.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "жеребец" directly corresponds to "stallion" in English, emphasizing the male horse's role in breeding or strength. It is typically used in formal or technical settings, such as veterinary science, agriculture, or equestrian events. Avoid using it in casual conversation, as it might sound overly specific; opt for "лошадь" for general horse references. When choosing between translations, "жеребец" is the most precise for uncastrated males, but always consider the context—e.g., in plural forms, ensure proper declension to match the sentence structure.

• Grammar note: As a masculine noun, it agrees with masculine adjectives and verbs.
• Cultural note integration: In Russian media, it's often romanticized in folklore.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "жеребец" with "конь" (a general term for horse or steed), leading to incorrect usage. For example:

• Error: Using "конь" when specifically meaning a breeding stallion, e.g., "Я купил конь для разведения" (incorrect, as it implies a general horse).
• Correct: "Я купил жеребца для разведения" – This specifies the male breeding aspect. Explanation: "Конь" is more poetic or archaic, while "жеребец" is precise for modern contexts.
• Another error: Forgetting declension, e.g., saying "о жеребец" instead of "о жеребце" in prepositional case. Always adjust for case to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the stallion symbolizes strength, freedom, and masculinity, often featured in folklore, literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy), and historical narratives like those involving Cossacks or nomadic tribes. Horses, including stallions, have deep roots in Russian history, representing endurance during wars and rural life, which adds a layer of cultural pride to the word "жеребец."

Related Concepts:

• Кобыла (female horse)
• Лошадиное стадо (horse herd)
• Ветеринария (veterinary science)
• Скачки (horse racing)